Kelly Dawson

Kelly Dawson is a writer, editor, and media consultant with more than a decade of experience in the lifestyle space. Her work has been published in nearly every major shelter magazine in the United States. She's a longtime contributor to Dwell and Architectural Digest, and her work has also appeared in Martha Stewart Living, Afar Magazine, Cup of Jo, Vox, Bon Appetit, McSweeney's, Apartment Therapy, Domino, and Refinery29.

About Real Simple

Real Simple, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning, trusted online resource for smart, authentic solutions to simplify your life. We reach 11 million readers a month. Our content is written by experienced journalists and fact-checked for accuracy. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.

Fresh salad greens being prepared in stylish kitchen still life

A Quick Guide to Tile Patterns, According to an Interior Designer

Bre Berolini Kitchen with wooden cabinets, reeded glass front cabinets, and brass storage rail

Space of the Week: This Kitchen Renovation Is Full of Secret Storage and Old World Charm

Kitchen with wood cabinets and white farmhouse sink

Space of the Week: A Well-Considered Layout Maximizes This Small Kitchen

White kitchen with white and blue cabinets, long island with four chairs, hanging pendant lights, and patterned tile backsplash

4 Smart Ways to Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel

Space of the Week, Small NYC apartment sleek kitchen with storage RealSimple

Space of the Week: A Couple’s Tiny Apartment Is Full of Impressive Storage Solutions

paint-mistakes-GettyImages-1223862582

How to Fix 4 Common Painting Mistakes

A kitchen designed by Alexa Jacobs, a senior kitchen designer and showroom manager at deVOL Kitchens.

Space of the Week: This London Kitchen Features the Most Unexpected Cabinet Colors

Best Selling Paint Colors 2022, Peach pink paint color on wall with cane chair, artwork, and palm fan in glass vase

11 Best-Selling Paint Colors of 2022

Laundry room with black appliances and white and pink zellige tile backsplash and bar

Space of the Week: This San Francisco Home’s Laundry Room Comes With a Built-in Bar

The kitchen of The Misfit House.

Space of the Week: This Reno of a Historic Georgia Kitchen Blends the Old and the Blue

Space of the Week, Living Room with Built-in Bench and Banquette

Space of the Week: A Living Room Feels More Spacious Thanks to a Clever Use of Built-Ins

Space of the Week, blush dressing room with black pocket door and leather chair, RealSimple

Space of the Week: A Blush-Toned Closet Became a Designer’s Arena for Risks

Kitchen with a light blue tile backsplash, stools with woven backrests, and glass pendant lights.

Space of the Week: This Family Kitchen Embraces a Timeless Color Palette

Coastal Kitchen with sage cabinets and wooden island, sleek design, RealSimple

Space of the Week: This Coastal Kitchen in Sydney Features the Best Sage Green Paint

Space of the Week, Maple Leaf Entryway with Benches, RealSimple

Space of the Week: Cheerful Wallpaper and Secret Storage Make for a Smile-Inducing Entryway

Historic dining room with white walls and wooden ceiling beams and wood table

Space of the Week: This Historic Home’s Dining Room Got a Modern Makeover—With a Timeless Twist

Neutral Color Bathroom with Checkerboard Tile, White Walls, and Wood Vanity

Space of the Week: This Bathroom Makeover Feels Bright and Airy After a Few Style Shifts

Space of the Week, Moody Green Home Office with glass doors

Space of the Week: Two Lawyers Get a Moody Home Office Thanks to an All-Over Paint Job

Guest Bedroom With Green Bedding

Space of the Week: This Beautiful Guest Bedroom Went From Dirt (Literally) to Fresh Digs

mountain living room with large windows and sleek gray sofas

Space of the Week: A Living Room Embraces the 'Mountain Living' Look—Without Leaning Too Far Into a Theme

Cloffice with blue paint, wooden desk surface, and upholstered chair

Space of the Week: An Annapolis Home's Laundry Room Is Repurposed into a Clever Office With Storage

Kitchen Storage Ideas to Steal from Stylish Restaurants, restaurant kitchen

6 Clever Kitchen Storage Ideas to Steal From Restaurants

Floral Bathroom With Mint Green Vanity

Space of the Week: Floral Wallpaper Becomes the Defining Feature of a Formerly Bland Bathroom

Space of the week modern rustic kitchen with vintage style runner rug, wooden island, and black metal pendant light

Space of the Week: This Kitchen's Island Was Expanded and Stocked With Storage—No Major Demo Necessary